COLA
Social Security’s Average Monthly Benefit Hits a New Milestone
The month of May is expected to see the average monthly benefit for retired workers reach the $2,000 level for the first time in history. For a quick comparison, the average benefit at the same point in 2015 was $1,363,…
2026 COLA Predictions
Although the official announcement is months away, we continue to see COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment) predictions. Experts started with a prediction of 2.1 % which gradually increased to 2.4% in April. There is some disagreement about how the COLA…
Is COLA Affected by Tariffs?
The yearly Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is calculated based on inflation for the third quarter of the year compared to the third quarter of the previous year. Sean Williams for The Motley Fool looks into whether or not President…
2026 COLA: Good news and bad news
The Senior Citizens League (SCL), an advocacy group for seniors, regularly monitors the U.S. cost of living, with an eye towards what next year’s Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) might be for those collecting Social Security. And even though actual…
2026 COLA Watch: Another revision
Although, it’s way too early to focus on what the January 2026 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) might be, some organizations are tracking the inflation numbers and using them as a reference point to forecast what might happen when the…
Could COLA be Affected by Tariffs?
Millions of people rely on Social Security to help make ends meet. Each year inflation is measured by comparing third quarter numbers with the third quarter numbers from last year. This is what determines the amount of the Cost of…
What Affect will Tariffs have on Next Year’s COLA?
The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is a measure of third quarter inflation from one year to the next. With tariffs in play inflation could be increased or decreased. Which way will it swing? Sean Williams for The Motley Fool…
Oh no!!! A COLA Forecast Already?
While it is far to early to accurately predict the 2026 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for Social Security recipients, predictions inevitably happens about this time every year. After all, next year’s COLA won’t be known until early-October of this…
There’s a New Bill in Town
The Social Security Expansion Act aims to change the COLA adjustment calculation from the CPI-W to the CPI-E, which is more in tune with Senior Citizens expenses. It also proposes the Social Security payroll tax be applied to additional earnings…
Was the 2025 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) enough?
Well, almost certainly not, according to Maurie Backman in this Yahoo! Finance article. You see, annual COLA increases are actually “backward looking” – that is, they are based upon inflation which has already occurred, and they may not offset today’s…